Lewis Grabban struck a brace and Bradley Johnson’s 87th minute curler cancelled out Tom Cairney’s first minute strike, but that barely told the story of a breathless encounter at Carrow Road.

Grabban slammed home a rebound after Paul Robinson had saved his first half spot kick before Johnson reprised his stunning Watford strike and Grabban slotted deep in stoppage time.

Neil Adams retained the same starting line up that beat Watford 3-0 in Saturday’s home Championship opener. Andrew Surman returned to the substitutes’ bench after his absence against the Hornets in place of Leroy Fer, who was in London finalising a club-record transfer switch from Carrow Road.

Rovers’ chief Gary Bowyer made one change from the team that won at Blackpool with Lee Williamson replacing Josh King in midfield.

The visitors stunned Norwich inside the opening minute when Cairney smashed an unstoppable left-footed half-volley up and over John Ruddy from fully 25 yards after the highly-rated midfielder had latched onto Rudy Gestede’s knockdown.

City survived loud Blackburn penalty appeals seconds later when Jordan Rhodes’ header appeared to strike Steven Whittaker’s arm inside the congested home penalty box, but referee Scott motioned to his chest.

Cairney tested Ruddy again from 25 yards with City worryingly second best to every ball in the frenetic opening exchanges.

Kyle Lafferty earned a pressure-relieving free kick after a buccaneering run but Wes Hoolahan’s over-hit pass intended for Grabban underlined the lack of precision about Norwich’s early work.

Alex Tettey slammed a right-foot strike against the foot of Robinson’s post in the 14th minute in the first stirrings of real menace from Adams’ men after Nathan Redmond and Javier Garrido had combined down the left-flank.

Lafferty then measured up the same spot but Robinson dived low to his left to palm behind as the home crowd responded with vocal backing.

City were a coat of paint from an equaliser in the 19th minute when Grant Hanley inadvertently diverted Lafferty’s flick towards his own goal from Redmond’s inswinger.

Norwich’s surge brought some tangible reward when Hoolahan’s clipped cross on the edge of the area struck the left arm of Jason Lowe and referee Scott wasted little time in pointing to the spot.

Grabban stepped up but Robinson parried his initial penalty only for the former Bournemouth striker to calmly guide the rebound into the opposite corner from seven yards.

Norwich continued to dictate, in a sharp contrast from the opening carnage, and Robinson was forced to go full length to his right this time on the half-hour mark to claw away Redmond’s low dig from long range.

Rovers still carried an air of counter-attacking threat with Rhodes momentarily lifting the ball beyond Michael Turner before the big centre back recovered his ground.

Hoolahan displayed a rare lack of composure five minutes prior to the interval when Lafferty’s looping header dropped to the Irishman just outside the Rovers’ six-yard box, but his miscue spared Robinson any further employment.

Grabban stabbed a left-footed effort well wide much to his frustration from Garrido’s teasing delivery, but it needed Hanley at his best to make a last-ditch intervention seconds later in a strong finish to the opening period from the Canaries.

Ryan Bennett was introduced at the interval for Garrido, which prompted a re-organisation to City’s backline, with Whittaker swapping flanks and Russell Martin re-deployed to right-back.

Rovers started sharper in an echo of the first half with Norwich struggling to re-gain the level of control they had exhibited in advanced areas of the field.

Grabban wriggled his way past Hanley at close quarters but Alex Baptiste cleared behind after Robinson had parried his initial low shot.

Johnson slipped a slide rule pass into Redmond who fed Tettey but the Norwegian could not match the accuracy of his thumping goal against Watford from the same distance.

Ryan Bennett’s far post header in the 65th minute from Redmond’s deep free kick forced Robinson to take emergency action but the keeper had no chance when the centre back’s encore from Tettey’s cross cannoned the top of his bar from seven yards out.

Tettey’s half-volley from the edge of the area struck Markus Olsson with Blackburn now starting to wobble approaching the final quarter. Robinson then produced a majestic stop to divert Grabban’s close-range header against the underside of his bar before Rovers’ scrambled the rebound clear.

Lafferty made way for Elliott Bennett with City now firmly in the ascendancy and the home fans turning up the volume once again.

Adams played his last throw of the dice with Josh Murphy given the final 10 minutes in place of Redmond. City raided forward again and their persistence paid off when Johnson curled a sublime effort over Robinson from the edge of the area to spark bedlam at Carrow Road with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Rovers threw men forward in a desperate search for an equaliser, with Ruddy acrobatically denying Olsson, and that proved a crucial stop when Murphy broke with Robinson stranded inside Norwich’s penalty box before squaring to Grabban who coolly slotted a match-clinching third.

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Even Holty only managed 8 under the mismanagement of Chrissy... Still 8 x better than Winkel. RvW did miss a couple of sitters. Honestly, I saw nothing to indicate he was a proper footballer. Perhaps we were sent a "ringer" and the real Winkel will be seen at Saint Etienne. Holty`s stop-gap `replacement`, Elmander, managed 1 league goal. Other loan signings were equally wonderful; Gutierrez and Yobo. FMH.

@el tel last season RVW would not have been in the right place to receive the pass to make the initial shot ir the rebound. Grabban has scored one deflected shot and two rebounds now... The guy obviously has a poachers instinct.
And last season RVW cost us relegation... Although you have to blame the managers for playing him when he was so hopelessly out of form and confidence.

TK; I know we don`t always agree about Snoddy, but it`s such a shame the poor fellow`s got that nasty knee injury. Beebgossip has it that he`ll be out for 6 months. Dislocated kneecap. Just about the whole season. What rotten luck. It seems our own Garrido has a hamstring prob. Let`s hope that`s not too severe.

A great game to watch last night and Blackburn gave us a real test. It was just like stepping back to the Lambert days and kept us on the edge of our seats. Our defence looked wobbly first half but was so much better second half, we must keep Bennett at centre back and Martin at right back on Saturday. I was also a bit baffled as to why Redmond was played on the left wing as he looked far more comfortable on the right last Saturday, likewise Laffertey played well on the left. Well done Josh Murphy for keeping his head late on to set up the third goal. The score line probably flattered us, but that is football, some games go your way others do not. The ref was probably a homer but then so was the one against Wolves so it evens itself out over time. Bring the next game on, I cannot wait. OTBC

Grabban`s penalty kick may have been influenced by the fear that `Banquo`s Ghost` might turn up and wrestle the ball away from him. Yes, we did get a bit lucky but, hey, every team gets a bit lucky sometimes. It was our turn last night. I hope Garrido`s injury is not serious. We can`t afford to lose defenders.

Make no mistake, the ref helped us tonight. Whittaker handled in the box before we were given our penalty. It could and should have been 2-0 down. Could we have come back from 2-0? Great result though and Grabban should also has been given a penalty at 2-1 when he was upended right in front of me but we can't give away early goals again as it could have been all over by then?

Great to see a second straight win, and another bundle of goals. Sure, it'll be a long season, anything could happen, including some great things. I'm hoping that the new squad is coming together and gathering some momentum after recent sour seasons. And maybe, just possibly, even the bitterness on these message boards will fade away with the taste of relegation. Let's give it a chance, eh?

Archie doesn't seem to be too keen on postings about where to find live streams. Not sure what they are trying to protect or hide. I had a site that was good for live streams in the PL, but they don't seem to be streaming so much of the Chump games. Please share any links for live streams - if you can !! OTBC

Fatnakago - have you found a decent way to watch us in the States? Last season was great with NBCSN but obviously that's not an option this season. I have no problem with a subscription service - just want to see out games.

Looks like I'll have to keep my home shirt in the closet, and NOT watch the matches. Wore it and watch our opener, and 1-0 Wolves. Did NOT wear it and did NOT watch and 3-0 Watford and 3-1 Blackburn. I was wearing my #12 Aaron Rogers Green Bay Packers shirt for the Watford match, and today had a Potosi Brewery shirt on. So there ya go. I'll wear the #12 Aaron Rogers for our beatdown of the Tractor Boys, but...should I watch? I don't want to jinx things. Looks like I'll be sporting Packers gear and other Wisconsin microbrewery related shirts for the rest of the season. The Packers wear the same colours our Canaries so, and have a similarly rabid fanbase. The only difference is that we wear styrofoam wedges of cheese on our heads.
Anyway, it's great that we're back on winning ways and from the sound of it, Hoolihan was vital cog in the offensive machine. Good for him. CH's biggest (of many) mistakes was not playing him.
Hate to see Fer leave, but it's understandable. Let's use the $$$ to bolster the defense.
As for the negativity here at times, it's understandable given last year's brutal season. Our expectations for the team we love can be a bit off the charts. We expect perfection evwen when we win big. We want to pluck every game apart like it's the remains of an after Thanksgiving turkey.
But I'm very optimistic about the season. I think Neil is getting them on the right track. 3 goals a game?? Hell, the Canaries could have promotion sewed up by the time the snow flies here in Wisconsin. Well...that's a bit unreasonable since we could have a foot of snow on the ground 2- 2 12 months from now. But I'm happy. A win is a win no matter how we get it.
On the ball City!!!

Encouraging display. Some wobbles but you get away with that in this league. Grabban promises to do what Holt once did. Will be glad when that damned window is slammed shut. Even so, what difference would Fer, Snodgrass, RVW and Pilkington have made tonight? And we have two possibilities in bound, maybe more (I 'm sure thingy, our Head of Recruitment, is working round the clock).

Good Luck Leroy and well done Neil for getting used to that winning feeling. As for Grabban all I can say is "Thank You Football Gods". He has already scored 3 goals in 3 games... If the pathetic RVW had scored the same amount last season in 38 games we might have stayed up.... As of today Grabban's strike rate is 38 times higher than RVW last season... Sticking with him definitely sent us down... but at least we are good enough to go straight up again... I fancy 3 from Norwich, Cardiff, Forest, Middlesbrough to go up.

Great result. Pity about the early goal. We scored goals in the last few minutes in the Championship under Lambert, but did not let in early ones like today, and like we did under CH. Think NA needs to work on the fear factor a bit - under PL everyone came on the pitch awake and stayed that way for the 90+ minutes.

Boring Foggo .......... try pouring your glass more than half, you'll find it a wonderful experience looking at the world from an aspect the majority see it from ........... or perhaps a Meldrew approach finds you at your most comfortable .......... any hows, OTBC - Bring It On !

Sorry L Y B but I couldn't disagree more , while I grant you it shows the present team has grit to fight back , giving away early goals just put's us on the back foot for the rest of the game . We got lucky tonight , got a penalty and caught the Blackburn defence napping when their goalkeeper saved it ( shades of Mr Keelan there ) so Grabban was left free to bang in the rebound , and the third goal was , with great respect to J Murphy and Grabban , a flukey situation . No , without those two you'd have been left with Bradley Johnsons solid equaliser and a 1:1 Draw which was the result I'd feared . Fantastic that we won and I am very very happy , but the negatives have to be addressed .

Interesting switch with Garrido replaced at half time. Was it a tactical thing or was he injured? It did emphasise the paucity of our defensive resources. To come back like that was encouraging. Bradley Johnson looks a rejuvenated man - he seems to be enjoying his partnership with Tettey, as he did in the early days of Alex. Great unselfish play from Josh. Next; get Laffs on the scoresheet at Ipswich. And strengthen that defence.

On the upside, Bring on Foggo, it was only one silly early goal, as opposed to three or four of them. Also, in a way, I think it was worth conceding an early goal just to see that they're capable of turning it around again.

Bar the first 15 minutes, a great performance. Felt we looked much better In the second half with Martin at right back and Ryan Bennett in the centre. He has to start on Saturday. He wins so much in the air and was unlucky not to score as well. Looking good for the derby.

Early start here for travelling, checked Sky showed 1-1 by time at airport 3 -1 day seems a lot better. Sounds as it was a battling victory and sets it up nicely for Saturday. Like cda I would be happy with a 1-0 victory Saturday but I certainly won't complain it we do roll them over. Fer on the way out a loss but not a surprise, like others comments price could be higher but c'est la vie. Hopefully money spent on some defenders to give us depth in the squad. Now digging out the Street Directory to see if there is a humble pie shop about as turn around since Wolves far more than I expected, but glad to be wrong on this occasion. OTBC

right...getting p|$$3d with some of the negativity. (1) the fer deal makes sense, Holland won't select a championship player, we get 7-8m now plus 20% so good luck to him. (2) this board SAVED the club financially DM et al deserve more respect. Holt did nothing at Wigan so was let go at the correct time. (3) I will happily take a 1-0 win on Saturday. prediction of a stuffing seem over optimistic, BUT a victory seems a good shout. (4) Dubai - just ssssssshhhhh please

Great result Neil + the lads ! What a shame we left Clueless Chris in charge for as long as we did. I wish we'd had the Grabber last season. I know it would be a step up to the Premier but he couldn't have done any worse than Rip Van Winkle. I've a feeling he + Laffs would have done us proud 12 months ago. Never mind, we've got 'em now ! PS: Is it just me or does that bald headed Blackburn player bringing up the rear in the pic look about 63...?

Good result, with the right teamsheet against Wolves would have been 3 out of 3, but well done Neil for getting it right!! Good Luck to Leroy, QPR won't be easy! Let's invest some of this cash in getting defence right. If no one else goes and with Hooper & Howson to come back squad ain't too bad, just that defensive cover. OTBC,

I don't think the fixture list was particularly kind to us...opening four games against Wolves, Watford, Blackburn and Ipswich are not easy. 6 points at this stage is a pretty good return. Obviously too early to tell, but equally nothing to say we shouldn't be thereabouts come the end of the season. And seemingly with the attacking football so many we're crying out for. Never know, once the window "slams shut" we may even get the feel good factor back on these boards.

Blowed if we should give the other team a gift like that so early on. Took the sleepy blighters 10mins to wake up. But, they did and got their act together. Sounds as if Garrido is after making a claim for a regular place. I'm pleased about that cos I prefer him to Olssen ...Wes Hoolahan is getting good marks from Chris Goreham. I don't think Fer would bring much to the party, so sell him on and put the money in the bank for a rainy day . How I read it from Chris G .is that Redmond is either playing on the wrong wing or has a touch of Snodgrass about him. Reckon he will get told a thing or two during the half time break. Anyway we are on level terms and can easily score another couple in the second half.
From the commentary by Chris Goreham, it seemed we were not to bothered in the second half. Allowed Blackburn to lose their way for 30mins, and then piled on the pressure. Redmond was rightly substituted, I think his head is getting swelled a bit! Young Murphy took the opposite attitude and unselfishly passed to Grabban for the third goal. Can you imagine Snodgrass or Redmond doing that? Can see another three coming on Saturday and Adams must be preparing to worship the ground that Hoolahan walks on! Well done to all the boys. Show no fear for anyone!

Great result , and the best possible preparation for Saturday lunchtime . Only niggle is ONCE AGAIN giving away a silly early goal , how many times is that in the last two seasons ? 10 ? 12 ? Needs to be addressed .